I can't remember - but I thought I read about a muscle condition (??EPSM or something like that) where the muscles don't process ?glucose / starch correctly. Sorry -- I can't remember the details. I believe the correction was to eliminate ALL grain, and use beet pulp and rice bran for calories (fat instead of starch). Anyhow, it might be worth checking with your vet and having a muscle biopsy done.
On Jul 21, 2008, at 9:01 AM, Cindy Stafford wrote:
Looking for some insight from all of you on this one, because we're stumped. My friend's horse has a history of cramping up on rides. The mare is in good shape, not high strung, is consistently ridden several times a week. Text book endurance training, long slow distance. Owner is experienced endurance rider, has other horse that frequently gets BC, so not a case of being ridden too hard too fast. Horse pulses in very low. But on occasion, she will cramp up in teh hind end coming into the first vet hold on an LD, or during the hold in line. It's never been the big metabolic crash, with dark colored pee or compeltely locking up. Just stiff legs that can come off as lameness. It has also occurred at home within 30 minutes of mild exercise, but very rarely, Just most often at a ride.
The horse is frequently trained in parks away from home, so don't think the issue is being some place new.
What we've tried so far: thoroughly researched ridecamp for ideas Read everything from Susan Garlinghouse we can put our hands on She has access to grass hay 24/7, and is turned out at night in pasture. She is not overweight She is currently on regimate (hasn't eliminated it, but may have helped?) Increased selenium dosage (based on Susan's comments in ridecamp on this subject earlier this year) Made sure to change up gaits during a ride, in case its just muscle fatique. mixed up walking, trotting, cantering... Kept pace during the ride very slow, has been ridden middle of the pack, back of the pack, etc. Horse doesn't get anxious during the rides, very mellow.
So any other ideas of what to try? Anything we've missed? Or is this even a metabolic issue and we're misdiagnosing it?
